Best Bars 2009

Readers of hourdetroit.com cast online ballots for their favorite metro Detroit watering holes
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No. 1 Bar: Hard Luck Lounge

The Hard Luck Lounge, voted No. 1 bar in metro Detroit. Photograph by Cybelle Codish

15412 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe Park; 313-884-LUCK, hardlucklounge.com.

“Only bar with Hard Candy Vodka and Candy Shoppe martinis.”

“Bartenders rock, and they pour a stiff drink — great people.”

“Great Swedish Fish Vodka, and always good tunes playing. Oh, and the bathrooms are always clean.”

“…Interesting, storied décor – all the handmade, commissioned lamps and barstools, the bar top.”

“Tasteful Vegas-inspired décor … the best candy-infused vodka I have ever had!!! No joke — if this is the only reason you check it out, you will not be disappointed!”

“It’s got such a great feel, I don’t even mind being the designated driver. I just like hanging out.”


Top Favorites:

The Town Pump Tavern, 100 W. Montcalm, Detroit; 313-961-1929, thetownpumptavern.com.

“Hot wait staff … and good deals on soda pop!”

“At any given time you could find a businessman in a suit entertaining clients, a ‘scenester’ having a beer before a concert at the Fillmore, a bunch of lovely ladies out on the town, students from the surrounding universities unwinding after a big exam, and guys gearing up before a big game.”

Centaur, 2233 Park, Detroit; 313-963-4040, centaurbar.com.

“Caters to all ages. Friendly, comfortable, and you can carry on an intelligent conversation.”

“Love the Spanish tapas and $5 happy-hour martinis.”

“Cold, strong drinks.”

Stage 30 Bar (inside the Uptown Grille), 3100 E. West Maple Rd., Commerce Township; 248-960-3344, stagethirty.com.

“You can go to watch the game, listen to music, or just have a quiet dinner with friends and family. It all depends on where you sit. There’s something for everyone.”


Popular Picks

The Baltimore Lunch, 1234 Randolph, Detroit; 313-964-2728.

Bookies Bar/Grille, 2208 Cass, Detroit; 313-962-0319, bookiesbar.com.

C.J.’s Brewing Co., 8115 Richardson Rd., Commerce Township; 248-366-7979, and 14900 Beck Rd., Plymouth; 734-453-4455, cjsbrewingcompany.com.

Cliff Bell’s, 2030 Park Ave., Detroit; 313-961-2543, cliffbells.com.

Dragonmead Microbrewery, 14600 E. 11 Mile Rd., Warren; 586-776-9428, dragonmead.com.

Foran’s Grand Trunk Pub, 612 Woodward, Detroit; 313-961-3043, foransirishpub.com.

Gator Jake’s Bar/Grill, 36863 Van Dyke, Sterling Heights; 586-983-3700.

The Loving Touch, 22634 Woodward, Ferndale; 248-546-3644.

Motor City Brewing Works, 470 W. Canfield, Detroit; 313-832-2700, motorcitybeer.com.

Pulse, 156 Monroe, Detroit; 313-420-0313, pulsedetroit.com.

Rochester Mills Beer Co., 400 Water St., Rochester; 248-650-5080, beercos.com.

Solero, 118 Sycamore, Wyandotte; 734-284-8706, solerocafe.net.

Woodward Avenue Brewery, 22646 Woodward, Ferndale; 248-546-3696, thewabferndale.com.

Ye Olde Tap Room, 14915 Charlevoix, Detroit; 313-824-1030.